LET'S BE HONEST

This is a personal weblog. All opinions expressed here represent my own. In addition, my thoughts and opinions does change from time to time and I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This weblog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot and manifestation of the various memes running around my brain and as such, any thoughts and opinions expressed within out-of-date posts may not be the same nor even similar to those that I may hold today or in time to come.All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. alexanderomontgomery.com makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this information or any losses, injuries or damages directly or indirectly arising from its display or use.

​Watching this episode with my buddy Anthony was fun. I have not seen him in a month (although we chat everyday) and thought there's no better way to watch this final episode than to catch it on telly with him after tea together last night and with wine in hand (but of course). LOLLast night's episode was actually the first we had filmed for in this series. I noticed that I looked chubbier than I did in the past episodes and my eyes looked very naked! LOL. I loved filming for this episode because not only was I now officially working on this TV series, but I was working alongside with another of my very good friend Rudo!! And so, my spirits were high on that day because after so many auditions and screen tests prior, this was it! The actual first day of filming!!Referring to the Collins St piece, I liked what cast member Rick said about having eight equal hours of work, enjoyment and rest in a day. That makes a lot of sense but unfortunately, it doesn't happen in my daily life as a huge chunk of my day is spent working and at school with assessments and assignments flooding my study desk. Days of rest for me now at this stage in my life is always appreciated and is blissful. I also thought the "I am not sorry" artwork by Richard Bell was spectacular. I am somebody who will offer my apologies at the first instance if I had indeed made a mistake as Alexander Pope said "to err is human and to forgive divine". And sometimes, the victimized need a SINCERE apology for closure. I think it's not so much of what happens after the apology but an initial apology is the first step towards making things right. This is also reflected in our Australian Judiciary System. In the court of law before sentencing, judges give due credit on apologies given and how remorseful is the perpetrator towards his/her victim. And if no remorse or proposed restitution is shown or offered, then it can be expected that sentences meted out would most likely be more severe.On a personal level though, I am also of the view that we do not need to want or demand for an apology from somebody if we were indeed wronged unless this is a case of defamation or slander. Yes, an apology would be nice for closure but with strength from within where we continue to believe in ourselves and to know that we have been wronged but yet, is still able to forgive and let go, we come out as a stronger person, the better person and would feel happier within ourselves. We are doing this for ourselves and nobody else. We forgive to release ourselves from all of the negativity from the other person and free ourselves from their shackles of toxicity. And to me, that is sheer strength!! XOXOX

This episode was filmed at the "Campbelltown Arts Centre" in Campbelltown, a sleepy town approximately 50kms (I think) from Sydney's CBD. This was also the final episode which we had filmed for, for the entire TV series and we departed for this town straight after filming part two at the "Art Gallery of New South Wales" (aired on episode 6).A maxi cab was organized by Matchbox pictures which took the Melbourne cast members to our apartment/motel in Campbelltown. Exhausted from the day's filming, I sat next to Maurice and Harry right at the back of the cab and joked with Maurice that all I wanted was silence. Maurice is a very sweet person who looks after me and I feel bad to not have drinks with him after being invited for the umpteenth time!! I don't think he understands that at 45, I usually feel like death at the end of the working day. I simply do not have the energy like he does. Rudo and I have never been in an argument nor have we ever raised our voices at each other before. On the contrary, we joke heaps and laugh like bloody hyenas and are very light hearted. However, due to the difference in our opinions on drugs, drug addiction and drug traffickers, we clashed big time filming for the "pigeon and egg" scene.People get surprised when they learn that I have never touched drugs in my entire life. Laugh all you want but I have never even smoked weed. Somebody told me on set that as drug use is rampant within the gay community, anybody would think that I am a user, but I am not. And I hold a very hard stance against drug use for I have seen families torn apart just because somebody in their family is on it. I have even witnessed first hand how somebody who is so lovely and kind hearted would turn into a monster once the chemicals take over. My own grandfather was one such victim of drug addiction. He lost the entire family estate which included a massive rubber plantation in Malaysia and properties just because of his opioid addiction. Hence, I am of the belief that drug traffickers need to have the book thrown at them with serious consequences meted out. They rolled the dice and lost. End of story. XOXOX ​

​In this episode, we filmed at the Lyon Housemuseum situated in the posh district of Kew in Melbourne. The exterior architecture of the house itself is just majestic and simply a sight to behold. As usual, we were filmed in groups and were shuttled by car to the museum from the green room, which was a function room at a hotel close by.And so, upon arrival, it was the usual briefing by the Director on set before actual filming began. I was also told not to speak too loudly in the housemuseum as prior sound tests came back with feedback and so, I told the bogan in me to fuck off and asked sophistication to take over. There was a lot of laughter in between takes between Rudo and I. We poke fun at each other all the time and because we are not the precious type, she knows that the jibe I dish out is all in the good name of fun!! If she's offended, then she's hiding it really well but I highly doubt it as we still communicate everyday in our usual crazy manner.The piece I loved most was the very lifelike beast humanoid hybrid. I was startled when I first saw it and was glad I didn't shriek like a little bitch on camera!! LOL. That would've been bloody embarrassing!! LOL. That beastlike thing carrying the frail old woman resonated very much with me as it reminds me of myself at a time in my life before where I had always put others before myself. Doing that was always a heavy feeling and somewhat a burden as well but it was something I was taught as a child by my mother. She had taught me to be giving, to always have the last piece of cake on the table after giving out the best bits to everyone else, to offer the finest to others and to give out more than I am to receive. This philosophy of hers is good in a way but as we know that in life, there are heaps of users, ungrateful bastards and fake arse people out there and so, after being fucked over by so many such people over the years, I finally had to recondition myself to only give to others who deserve it and to always give myself more!! BALANCE IS KEY. Is this balanced? Ok, nevermind. 😂😂😂 XOXOX

​Once again, Matchbox pictures flew me into Sydney over the weekend to film for this episode sometime late last year. On the call sheet, we were asked to wear the exact same outfit (why I don't know) that we had on previously filming for episode two at the same museum.Bloody Qantas had delayed my flight into Sydney from Melbourne TWICE on that day and I was so over it!! I was exhausted from all of the rescheduling of my flight on that morning. It was Matchbox which was so very kind to do all of the rescheduling on my behalf but I was still annoyed at having to cancel and rebook for my ride to Tulla. At the airport, it was the same bullshit with Qantas where they rescheduled AGAIN and so, I had to reluctantly sit amongst children running amok, screaming babies and disgruntled faces. I made do with passing the time trading goss and talking shit with Rudo as we waited and waited and waited. This time round, Matchbox put me up at the four stars "The Sydney Boulevard Hotel" in the CBD. Rudo and I often requested for rooms next to each other during our check ins at the hotel as we wanted to stay close to each other for safety reasons. At check in, I bumped into two other cast members who looked visibly shocked as they "examined" my face. It was the first time anybody on set had seen my face sans makeup. They ain't seen nothing yet, they should see my crazy hair and smell my morning breath, I thought. 😂😂😂I tried very hard to go to sleep that night but could not. I only managed to doze off at four in the morning and had to wake at five-thirty for my hair, makeup and wardrobe to be organized for a nine am call time on location. Grrrrrr. I was totally convinced that my room was haunted as I kept hearing strange noises that kept me up mostly through the night. I was also convinced that this haunted room was assigned to me on purpose by that stupid girl at reception as I had requested for a room next to Rudo and for a room that was not at the tail end of the corridor. (Demanding much?) 😂 This stupid girl with her sour face on, kept repeating to me like a broken record that the hotel was fully booked yada yada yada but just as I stood there and insisted on getting what I wanted albeit with a smile, she then suddenly, out of the blue allocated to me what I had asked for! Little did I think there and then that she had given me a room with a resident ghost!! That bloody bitch!! Needless to say, this trip flying up to Sydney was totally exhausting as it was two full days of filming at two different locations there, and then I had to continue filming for the other TV series "Glam Life" immediately upon my return, the day after!! XOXOX

Filming for this episode took place sometime in September last year. And on that day, just like on any other day in Melbourne where the weather is highly unpredictable, the sun decided to shine so brightly that made the day a scorcher!! Despite that, I decided to keep my jacket and tie on throughout as I am the ultra vain pot always putting looks before comfort. The Heide museum of modern art is a stunning place to visit. It's situated in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and I was surprised that such a gorgeous gorgeous place actually existed in the burbs! And filming for this episode was actually way towards in the beginning (the episodes currently being broadcasted are not in the order of the episodes which we had filmed for).As such, apart from my partner in crime and co-star Rudo, I only recognised Maurice by face, from my earlier days filming for "Date my race" on the SBS network although I have never actually met him on that set until now. I like Maurice. He is blunt and a straight up shooter (like me), swears a lot (like me) and looks cute (unlike me). I remember watching his appearance on "Date my race" and thought I would date him if he rolled the same way I do but he DOES NOT. Sadly. 😂😂😂Anyway, apart from some cast members who couldn't get enough of themselves performing in front of the cameras and who felt the extreme need to continue their performance in the Green room nevermind that other cast members like me need some quiet and rest time in between takes. (A green room is a TV lingo for a holding room where cast members are holed up until production assistants come to get them to film for their next scene) Needless to say, I was very annoyed but because I'm no Mariah Carey who has her own trailer and until I reach dear Mariah's status, I would have to shut up and hold my peace, which I struggled with but I did!! 😂😂😂 XOXOX ​

​Sydney to me feels just like another bustling city such as Hong Kong or Singapore, with claustophobic footpaths and full of unsmiling and unhappy people. I have visited Sydney on various occasions before filming for this episode and have never liked it unfortunately. To me, receiving great service from staff working in hospitality is important. I was shocked when people there seem to be completely caught up in the rat race and was even more shocked to experience the thronging crowds in the CBD. I am more of a laid back person who enjoys the slow life. Melbourne is fast becoming just like that which makes me go insane sometimes.Watching last night's episode, it once again reaffirmed my understanding of the power of TV editing. While other cast members were seemingly saying all the right things on national TV, I was put out there where any viewer would come to the conclusion that Im just another highly materialistic and exceptionally high maintenance diamond digging bitch, which is furthest from the truth I may add.On the piece "Vortex", apart from my diamond comment, I also said on camera that I am upset that multi billionaire tycoons who own mines are not giving enough back to the community and if I were such a tycoon, I would be setting up schools for the underprivileged here in Australia incorporating life skills in it's curriculum such as financial planning, social skills development, confidence building, etiquette programs, moral education and the like. These are life skills which I feel that mainstream schools today should be teaching to our younger generation so that when they leave school, they will not be in for a rude shock knowing what life is truly about. That said, I am doing what I can in my current capacity to help others in my own little ways and try to put a smile on people's faces and to bring laughter and joy into their lives through my friendship with them and through entertainment on TV. XOXOX

Art has never been a part of my life - till now. I am more of a music person. Sentimental songs with powerful lyrics which I can relate to at certain points in my life, will move me and evoke positive or negative emotions within me. Before, art was like fart. I would look at a piece, that piece would look back at me and we still wouldn't know each other.Filming for episode 3 for me, brought the word fun to a whole new level. I had fun teasing Rudo on her mispronunciation of native Chinese names and temporarily brought me back to my much younger days in church. Viewing "Anguish" by artist August Friedrich Schenck was heartbreaking. The moment I saw that piece, I connected with it immediately as I recalled past loves lost in my life. I am an emotional person. I have alot of feelings and growing up like this was tough. Over the years, I had to learn to shut them down and get tough, to be strong and to stand up for myself. I had to learn to think with my head and not my heart.I have never met Rudo's late mother who was a medical doctor in England but I got to know her through Rudo's stories. Rudo talks about her mum all the time and through Rudo's stories, I have learnt even more about life and that was why when Rudo spoke of how she identified the mother sheep's love for her kid and relating that to her own story, it moved me so much.I guess the emotional gates within me just opened and I continued to cry off camera for a good ten minutes after this scene with the camera crew, producers, directors and the public looking and thinking WHO IS THIS IDIOT!?!! 😂😂😂 XOXOX

Rudo and I are BEST friends. We have not known each other for forty-five years or since we were kids but our bond is strong. On camera and off, we are the same. We laugh a lot, throw jokes at each other and chat about everything under the sun. Our values and belief system are very alike which has been the very foundation of our friendship. I am blessed to have Rudo in my life. She is a Forensic Psychologist and is super intelligent. In fact, she is just like my walking and talking dictionary!! And it's not just our love for fashion that brought us together as narrated on the show but rather, it's the similarities in us where we can chat honestly and openly about everything without pride or ego getting in the way. We also do not tip toe around issues. We are genuine towards each other and are always happy for one another but I'm definitely the crazier one!! Filming for episode two was great fun!! #matchboxpictures flew me into Sydney on Qantas and they put me up in my own room at the four stars “Holiday Inn Darling Harbour”. I did a little sightseeing upon arrival together with Rudo. We had a look around the harbour, dined and shopped at the “Star” (where else?) and then called in for an early night in preparation for the next morning’s filming at nine.Filming went ahead without a hitch. Cast members were holed up in the “green room” while waiting for their call to the scene by the production assistant. Missing my own plush super king sized bed back home in Melbourne, I didn’t get to sleep very well at the Holiday Inn and so I just slumbered into my nana naps in between takes. Watching episode two, I’m still unsure why my critique on the Aboriginal artwork was edited out. I love Aboriginal art. It is unique, captivating and has history. I said to camera that Australia needs to promote aboriginal art aggressively overseas. I have travelled half the world but have never seen Aboriginal art take centre stage. It’s always the same old, same old and I think that if our country starts truly embracing Aboriginal art and use it and put it at the forefront instead of simply using it as a token for marketing us to the world, then we can do very well in creating jobs for the Aboriginal community and truly helping them do more for themselves. Just imagine the benefits from this on the Aboriginal community and on our country as a whole. Just consider the wondrous and positive ripple effect that it will bring!!Oh well, maybe I’m too idealistic. Sometimes I truly wished that I have a magic wand where I can make this world a much much better place. XOXOX ​

And so, this past thursday at 8.50pm on the ABC network, my fans, friends, haters and stalkers all sat in front of their TV wanting to either celebrate me or throw eggs at their TV screen, I don't know. But all they got were bits and pieces of me in the intro and in the teaser for next week's episode towards the end. 😝 My man with steel balls was disappointed. He said he texted everybody to watch and they now want a refund. 😂😂😂 BUT LOOK. THIS IS A FUCKING SERIES. And as what I had mentioned before publicly and on my radio interviews, TV BUSINESS IS CUT THROAT. You never know what would make into the final cut, you never know what exactly the directors want from you, you never know how you would be portrayed on screen after the editing process when the episodes go to air. You could have filmed ten hours for that episode and all it appears for, is thirty seconds. You have absolutely no control whatsoever especially when you film for the national broadcasting network #abcaustralia produced by film giant #matchboxpictures owned by #NBCuniversal!! On set, you DO NOT KNOW who your friend is and you certainly do not know who is your enemy who you thought was a friend. It's murky waters. Everybody is pretentious. When I signed on the filming contract, all of these had been stated very clearly in black and white (except for the friend and enemy part). It is even stated that producers have the right to cut you out completely after filming has ended. In the TV business, unless you are some huge celebrity with massive star power, you are close to being a dust. Well, I am a realist. I am very practical in nature and am very down to earth. I know what's going on. This first episode that went to air was actually an episode where we had already been filming midway into the series. When I received the call sheet from production for this episode, I was taken aback that I only had one scene to film, this I told my co-star Banya Michelle Rudo and speculated that I was not delivering and producers were not happy. Like I said before, anything can happen and I have seen other cast members who had filmed for this series being thrown out suddenly. I shuddered at that thought. By the time I was filming for this episode, I had already lost a lot of weight and friends were concerned. Producers also voiced their concern. On this day, I was given a heads up that an official photography session would be taking place for publicity material and so I decided to put on my custom tailored purple suit and jazzed it up with an outrageous brooch with white peacock feathers full of coins dangling off it and draped across the lapel on the left, all the way to my right shoulder. I wore it because a producer had told me before that they liked that suit (which I had worn for my final screen test way before actual filming started). As I arrived on location, I spotted some cast members look my way and rolled their eyes so hard. I greeted everybody and immediately joined the table of Maurice and Harry, reached out for my black birkin and fished out my Chanel makeup case to slap more powder on. A member of the public came up to me and asked if I was the mayor of Melbourne city. 😂😂😂And so I filmed for that one scene that day, took photos for publicity materials (the official photographer was a huge delight to work with) and left for tea with Rudo all the while with my mind still wondering heavily if the axe was headed for my neck!! XOXOX

Being real and honest is firmly entrenched in my belief system. From a young age, I have been taught not to ask for anything nor to take anything that did not belong to me for if I did, my mother would reach out for the dreaded bamboo rod and cane the hell out of me. She was a tough disciplinarian. If child protection services existed back then as we have them here today, she would be put behind bars. Lol.I also witnessed my father working hard at his job daily without bludging nor whine or bemoan the fact that he had six of us to feed on his measly wage. And for that, I strongly believe that it has moulded me into the person that I am today. I am hardworking, tenacious and have a spine. I have a strong personality but not stubborn (there is a difference) and I certainly do not throw pity parties.Heck. I hate it when people throw pity parties or play the victim card as though the world owes them a living. I just cannot comprehend it. I believe that we are fully in charged of our lives and if something is not working in our favour, change it! Don't be the moron who consistently bangs his head against a brick wall hoping that the wall will move. The same goes for people who whine about how life is unfair and how they are disadvantaged because of a certain reason. Well, life is indeed unfair. DUH. But what are you gonna do about it? That's the burning question. Whinging and whining does not change anything. Besides, it makes you look pathetic. And if you cannot change the environment, change you instead.I consistently look within myself and do a reflection. I am a firm believer in sustained improvement. Empower yourself and take control of your life. Change things up for you have the power to do so and stop being jealous about others who are moving well ahead of you while you seem to be stuck in a rut. Be bold and go kick arse is what I say.It's also funny how some people would assume that because I am a potato queen and considering the car that I drive and the designer threads and bags that I own, I do have a sugar daddy who coats me with the entire sugar mill. It's also laughable that others would jump to the immediate conclusion when they see me out on dates with a caucasian man, that I am a gold digger. If anybody is digging for gold for that matter, it would have to be some of the guys whom I have dated. Lol. And others would think that I hate myself. No, I do not hate myself. Why would I? I love myself thank you very much. I do not bleach my skin white and have never entertained the thought of making my features look more caucasian. Yes, I have had work done but that is simply because I am forty fucking three and am one hell of a vain pot. Is wanting to look my best a crime? Some would even have the audacity to call me a traitor or to suggest that I am a racist simply because I only date white men but little do they realise that they themselves who do not date anyone else outside of their own race makes them seem to be even more of a racist. Oh well, if only we as human beings could accept each other for who we are and get along, this world would be a much better place to live in, yea? XOXOX